01YOUR FIRST SAFARI
First African safari: choose a country, trip length and operator
Plan a first African safari with a practical seven-day route, a quote checklist and official links for checking tour operators before booking.
Read guideTHE SAFARIWILD JOURNAL / FIELD GUIDES
Field guides.
Turn a distant place into your next departure.
Find your season. Choose your camp. Go thoughtfully.
START HERE Your first safari.
Your first safari.
A little closer to the wild.
Places, seasons and routes.
A considered guide to your first journey.
PLAN YOUR WAY
Six steps to the wild
16 guides
01
02KENYA OR TANZANIA
Kenya or Tanzania? A first-safari route comparison
Compare Kenya and Tanzania safari routes, migration seasons, transfer times and trip lengths to choose the better country for a first visit.
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03SAFARI COSTS
How much does an African safari cost? Vehicles, camps and park fees
Understand the main costs in an African safari quote, including vehicles, camps, park fees, guides and domestic transport, before comparing prices.
Read guide04MIGRATION CALENDAR
Great Migration by month: where the herds are from January to December
Follow the broad movement of the Great Migration through the southern, western and northern Serengeti and the Maasai Mara, from calving to river season.
Read guide05TWO CONNECTED GRASSLANDS
Serengeti or Maasai Mara? Compare season, budget and trip length
Compare the Serengeti and Maasai Mara by scale, migration season, camp region and trip length to choose the right grassland for a first safari.
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06WHEN TO GO
Best time for an African safari: dry, green or migration season
Compare dry, green and shoulder seasons in East and southern Africa by wildlife activity, roads, visitor numbers and photography conditions.
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07SAFARI PACKING LIST
African safari packing list: clothes, binoculars and bush-flight limits
Pack for cold mornings, dusty vehicles, camp life and small safari aircraft with a practical list for clothing, binoculars, cameras and hand luggage.
Read guide08CHOOSE BY TRAVEL STYLE
Photography, family or honeymoon safari: choose the right vehicle, camp and pace
Compare vehicles, daily pace and camps for a photography, family or honeymoon safari in the Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Kruger, Chobe and Etosha.
Read guide09TANZANIA · NOVEMBER
Tanzania safari lodges: 16 stays, November seasons and reference prices
Compare 16 Tanzania safari lodges for November 2026, with seasonal prices, inclusions, the best times to visit, official booking links and photograph sources.
Read guide10KENYA · LODGES
Kenya safari lodges across the Mara, Amboseli and Samburu
Compare five Kenya safari stays by actual location, conservancy access, seasonal conditions, dated rates and official booking information.
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11BOTSWANA · LODGES
Botswana safari lodges for water, wildlife drives and salt pans
Compare five stays in the Okavango, Chobe and Makgadikgadi by water activities, game drives, seasonal conditions, flight connections and rate basis.
Read guide12SOUTH AFRICA · KRUGER
Kruger stays from public rest camps to private safari lodges
Compare five Kruger-area stays by public-camp, private-lodge and outside-gate location, with rate basis, activity questions and official booking links.
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13NAMIBIA · LODGES
Namibia wildlife stays around Etosha and the Skeleton Coast
Compare five Namibia stays across Etosha public camps, private reserves and the Skeleton Coast, including room-rate basis, activities and arrival questions.
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14SRI LANKA · YALA
Yala safari hotels and what their packages actually include
Compare four Yala hotels by accommodation style, game-drive frequency, park fees, meal plans and official booking information.
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15BRAZIL · PANTANAL
Pantanal jaguar stays from river bases to southern ecolodges
Compare four Pantanal stays by northern river safaris, floating accommodation and southern land activities, with official contacts and package questions.
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16CHINA · SICHUAN · GIANT PANDA
Where to stay for pandas in China: four Sichuan hotels
Compare four Sichuan hotels for panda visits, from Chengdu to Dujiangyan and Qingcheng Mountain, with property photos, official links and booking questions.
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